"We are fighting against the Skins and the Nats and the Caps and the Wizards, and movies — we're fighting for every entertainment dollar," said United chief operating officer Tom Hunt. "So if we're going to go out into the community and speak, we need to know what we stand for and what we're going to say to people. What's going to resonate?"

United (16-9-6) snapped a three-game winless streak and beat Philadelphia for the second time in two matches this season, keeping the Union in seventh place in the East — two points shy of a playoff spot.

A dynamic attacking presence from the flank or up top, Pontius logged eight minutes in a loss to New York last week before playing 23 minutes Tuesday. Going into Saturday's trip to face the Chicago Fire (5-7-15), he feels he's ready to potentially push 60 minutes.

It's a tribute to the club's improved personnel that Silva has had to fight for minutes after starting all 13 of his appearances for United last season. But considering his production in recent weeks, it's unlikely he'll be battling for his place again anytime soon.

Johnson's first few months with D.C. United haven't exactly gone according to plan. After notching 26 goals in two resurgent campaigns with the Seattle Sounders, Johnson hasn't scored in seven appearances since an offseason trade to United.